Emily Meek, current President and Secretary, is a retired teacher-librarian from Battle Ground Public Schools, and has resided in the Venersborg area for the past 27 years. She enjoys cleaning and organizing the maintenance of the Schoolhouse, taking rental requests, and publishing agendas and minutes for the monthly VHPS meetings. She enjoys meeting prospective event renters and showing them the facility and its amenities. Emily can be reached by leaving a message at 360-687-1705.
Kathy Holtby, past President and now Treasurer of VHPS, is the Real Estate Manager for the Port of Vancouver. Kathy worked as an intern at Yellowstone National Park and developed a love for animals and the outdoors. She has a B.A. in business from Michigan State and has worked in real estate for over 30 years. During her tenure with the Schoolhouse, grants were obtained to replace the roof in 2018, and replace and rewire the building with heating, lighting and electrical circuitry up to code in 2022. Kathy loves crafting, especially needlecrafts and creating natural stone jewelry, and spending time with her family. Because of her expertise in finances, Kathy enjoys the role of Treasurer. Her passion is to promote commercial events including the annual holiday bazaar. Kathy can be reached by text at 360-901-3951.
Jacqueline Freeman, past President and current Community Historian and Vice President, has lived with her husband Joseph on the former Moberg property since 1998. She authored several books about beekeeping, as an expert in preserving bee habitat and ecosystems to help mitigate the climate crisis. During her leadership, a much needed bathroom facility was added to the building using community donated funding, bringing it to the modern age. Jacqueline spearheaded fall apple tasting and spring seed exchange events at the Schoolhouse. As Community Historian, Jacqueline obtained grants to conduct oral interviews with a number of descendants of local pioneer residents. Click on “Venersborg History Project” tab to view and listen to the stories of these early 20th Century migrants to the area now named Venersborg.
Other VHPS members deeply involved in upkeep and event organizing are: Susan and David Tripp, Sally Savona, Donna McLarty, scout troop leaders Tara Chrest and Dennis Moore, and a growing number of enthusiastic community members!
Past Officers
Celeste Reising, past president, lived with her family just up the road from the beloved Schoolhouse for the past 34 years. She is now retired from the healthcare industry. She devoted her time to many community organizations, including the Vancouver Food Bank and her church. She is a talented craftsperson, and loved organizing the annual Schoolhouse Holiday Bazaar and Wreath Making Workshop. Celeste moved with her family to Montana in 2025.
BJ Schulte, president emeritus, was personnel director for many years at Portco company in Camas. While there she helped negotiate a difficult strike and brought it to a good resolution. BJ knows the history of the club and she often shares stories about the goodhearted ways the club has worked in the community, knowledge she gained from working closely with Esther Moberg who was president of the club for many years. BJ enjoys reading, writing, drawing with charcoal and painting. BJ is mother to two sons and a daughter, has ten grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Sue Kvamme, retired secretary/key holder, is a retired registered nurse who raises goats, sheep, chickens and long-horned, red-haired Scottish Highland cows. She’s an avid gardener, intrepid hiker and talented artist. She loves living in Venersborg near her children and grandchildren. We very much appreciate her helping nature.
Kathy Malone, now deceased, was our beloved VHPS Treasurer for many years. She was actively involved in organizing and participating in Schoolhouse events. She lived in the Venersborg area for 40 years raising her family and enjoying her gardening. She contributed to the Fall apple tasting and Spring seed exchange, and enjoyed promoting the Schoolhouse by greeting people at the door and selling tote bags and other items with the Venersborg Schoolhouse logo. Her passion also included volunteering at the Humane Society for Southwest Washington.